Despite the ongoing prolonged dry spell, there is no scope for any kind of complacency in the preparations for the snow clearance operations. It being winter, the weather conditions can take any turn.
The meteorological department has predicted some wet spells in several areas till the end of this month. Even if it is a light snowfall at the isolated places and not a major snowfall as is being wished by most people, the snow clearance related preparedness must be in place.
Such preparations should be there for the next month also. It has been noticed that whenever a major snowfall occurs, there is disruption in normal life for several days. While the major roads are cleared, other roads remain snow bound.
It takes time to make link roads again traffic worthy. At times there is delay in taking emergency patients to hospitals due to road blockade.The supply of power and drinking water also gets affected due to snowfall.
Subsequently, sometimes the concerned authorities do come under criticism for not acting swiftly as far as snow clearance operations are concerned. Since no snowfall occurred till now this winter, so the snow preparedness is yet to get tested on the ground.
The lack of snowfall has already caused lot of concern. Experts fear shortage of water for drinking and irrigation purposes in summer this year due to the ongoing dry spell. People are hoping and praying for an early snowfall.
Those in the meteorological department through their weather forecast can inform when exactly Kashmir will witness the first snowfall of this season.
The concerned authorities too must remain prepared for the snowfall whenever it occurs.
They should not be caught unawares at that time. It is good that a review of the preparedness for snow clearance operations was taken at a recent official meeting.
Hopefully the directions given are implemented on the ground effectively whenever the snowfall occurs.